How to Play CROSSNET: Scoring, Rotation & King Square
CROSSNET takes the four-square game you played on the blacktop in elementary school and stacks a volleyball net in the middle of it. Four players each stand in their own numbered quadrant, you bump and set and spike the ball over the net, and you climb your way up to the king square at quadrant 4. It is fast, it is loud, and it works just as well for a backyard barbecue as it does for serious volleyball players warming up. Here is how the rotation, the scoring, and the serve all work so your first game does not dissolve into arguments.
- 4 (or rotate extras in) PLAYERS
- AGES 8+
- 5 to 10 min SETUP
- About 16 by 16 ft flat area
What you need
- A CROSSNET four-way net with the center pole and ground stakes
- A volleyball (a softer or lighter ball is friendlier for casual play)
- Four players, one per quadrant, plus anyone waiting to rotate in
- A reasonably flat patch of grass, sand, or hard court about 16 by 16 ft
- A way to keep score out loud, since you play to a set number of points
Need the gear? See our crossnet picks before game day.
How to play crossnet
- Set up the netAssemble the four-way net so it forms a plus sign, stake it into the ground, and adjust the height. CROSSNET nets adjust for different ages and skill levels, so set it lower for kids and family play and higher for adults.
- Number the quadrantsThe four squares are numbered 1 through 4. Square 4 is the king square and square 1 is where new players enter. One player stands in each quadrant to start.
- Serve from the king squareThe player in square 4, the king square, serves by hitting the ball over the net into square 2 to start the rally. The receiving player must return it across the net.
- Rally like volleyballOnce the ball is in play, each player gets a single touch with their hands. You cannot bump it to yourself and hit it again, so one clean contact sends it over the net into any of the other three quadrants. Some casual groups loosen this and allow up to three touches per square, but the standard game is one touch.
- Win the rally, climb the squaresA player is eliminated when the ball lands in their square or they make a fault. Players in lower-numbered squares move up to fill the gap. With four players, the eliminated player returns to square 1; with extras, they join the waiting queue.
- Score from the king squareThe player in square 4 earns one point whenever another player is eliminated. If square 4 is eliminated, nobody scores. Each player keeps their points when changing squares or waiting to reenter.
- Play to the target scoreThe first player to reach 11 points with a lead of at least two wins. Track totals by player name, not by square number, because scores stay with players throughout the rotation.
Scoring
- Only square 4 earns points: add one when another player is eliminated.
- No point is awarded when the player in square 4 is eliminated.
- Players keep their own points after moving squares or joining the waiting queue.
- Play to 11, win by two; track each player's cumulative total.
Keeping score on paper? Print the free crossnet score sheet. No signup needed.
Distance & setup
Fun variations
- Beginner house rule: agree up to three touches per square to make rallies easier; standard singles allows one.
- Larger group: waiting players enter square 1 in order whenever a player is eliminated.
- Pool play: use the H2O version designed for water and follow that set's instructions.
Crossnet rules FAQ
How does scoring work in CROSSNET?
Square 4 scores one point when another player is eliminated. If square 4 is eliminated, nobody scores. Every player keeps their accumulated points when rotating or waiting to reenter. First to 11 with a two-point lead wins.
How many players do you need for CROSSNET?
You need four players to fill the four quadrants, but the game is built for more. Extra players line up and rotate in at square 1 each time someone gets knocked out, so a group of six or eight keeps a steady flow of players cycling through.
How many times can you hit the ball in CROSSNET?
In the standard rules each player gets a single touch with their hands, then the ball has to go over the net into another square. You cannot bump it to yourself and hit it again. Some casual groups house-rule up to three touches per square to keep rallies alive, but the real game is one touch.
What is the king square in CROSSNET?
Square 4 is the top square and the only place to earn points. Its player scores when somebody else is eliminated. Losing square 4 sends that player through the rotation but does not erase their points.
How tall should the CROSSNET net be?
CROSSNET nets are height-adjustable, so there is no single required height. Set it lower for kids and family games so rallies last longer, and raise it toward regulation volleyball height for competitive adult play. Match the height to the shortest regular players in your group.
Can you play CROSSNET in a pool?
Yes, but you want the H2O version designed to float, not the standard land net. The H2O model is built to sit in the shallow end so you can play the same four-way rotation in the water. The Original land net is not made to be set up in a pool.
Ready to play?
Grab a set and start your league this weekend. See the crossnet sets we picked and what comes in each box.